Mercedes-Benz GL-Class
| Mercedes-Benz GLS-Class | |
|---|---|
_4MATIC_wagon_(2017-02-08)_01.jpg) | |
| Overview | |
| Manufacturer |
|
| Also called | Mercedes-Benz GL-Class (2006–2015) |
| Production | October 2006 – present |
| Body and chassis | |
| Class | Full-size luxury SUV |
| Body style | 5-door SUV |
| Layout | Longitudinal front-engine, all-wheel drive |
The Mercedes-Benz GL-Class is a full-size luxury SUV produced by Mercedes-Benz since 2006. It is a three-row, seven-passenger vehicle positioned above the GLE-Class, and is the flagship of the Mercedes-Benz SUV line.
The GLS shares the same unibody architecture with the GLE-Class. Most GLS-Class vehicles are assembled at the Mercedes plant in Alabama, except for a small number of early 2007 production vehicles which were manufactured in Germany. The first generation model (X164) was manufactured between 2006 and 2012 and was replaced in 2012 by the new generation GL-Class (X166).
From 2016 with the release of the facelifted second generation model, the GL-Class was renamed to GLS-Class as per the revised nomenclature adopted by Mercedes. Under this scheme, SUVs use the base name "GL", followed by the model's placement in Mercedes-Benz hierarchy. The "G" is for geländewagen (German for off-road vehicle) and alludes the long-running G-Class. This is followed by the letter "L" that acts as a linkage with the letter "S", the SUV equivalent to the S-Class.[1][2]
First generation (X164; 2007–2012)
_Facelift_front_20100926.jpg)
The X164 GL-Class debuted at the 2006 North American International Auto Show. It was released along the same time as the similarly sized Audi Q7, and was the first full-size, 7-seater SUV produced by a German automaker. The range of engines consist of V8 petrol engines, and turbocharged V6 and V8 diesel engines. All models are available only in all-wheel drive (4MATIC) configuration. Its main competitors are the Land Rover Range Rover, Cadillac Escalade, and Lincoln Navigator.
Second generation (X166; 2013–present)
_%E2%80%93_Frontansicht%2C_31._Dezember_2012%2C_D%C3%BCsseldorf.jpg)
The X166 GL-Class went on sale on September 2012. Models feature efficiency improvements via the addition of an engine start stop system, drive by wire steering, and new turbocharged petrol and diesel engines. The second generation model also introduced a high performance GL63 AMG variant, powered by the hand-built M157 engine.[3] Following the facelift in 2016, it was renamed to GLS-Class to correspond with the new Mercedes-Benz naming scheme. The model update also featured minor exterior and interior design changes and performance improvements.[4]
Sales figures
The following are the sales figures for the GL-Class since 2006:[5][6]
| Year | EU sales | US sales |
|---|---|---|
| 2006 | 3,007 | 18,776 |
| 2007 | 8,027 | 26,396 |
| 2008 | 4,227 | 23,328 |
| 2009 | 2,871 | 15,012 |
| 2010 | 2,249 | 19,943 |
| 2011 | 2,508 | 25,139 |
| 2012 | 1,573 | 26,042 |
| 2013 | 4,829 | 29,912 |
| 2014 | 4,187 | 26,597 |
| 2015 | 3,753 | 27,707 |
| 2016 | 5,361 | 30,442 |
| 2017 | 4,537 | 32,248 |
| Total | 47,129 | 301,542 |
References
- ↑ Ewing, Steven (11 November 2014). "Mercedes renames utility vehicles, repositions Maybach as sub-brand". Autoblog. Retrieved 12 November 2014.
- ↑ "Mercedes-Benz expands brand world and introduces new nomenclature: Mercedes-Maybach for the ultimate in exclusivity and individuality". Daimler AG. 11 November 2014. Retrieved 12 November 2014.
- ↑ "2013 Mercedes-Benz GL63 AMG instrumented test". Car and Driver. Retrieved 2016-11-23.
- ↑ "The new Mercedes-Benz GLS". Mercedes-Benz USA | Online Newsroom. Retrieved 2017-07-28.
- ↑ "Mercedes-Benz GL / GLS European sales figures". carsalesbase.com. Retrieved 2018-10-08.
- ↑ "Mercedes-Benz GL / GLS US car sales figures". carsalesbase.com. Retrieved 2018-10-08.
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